Chapter 3:

Private Detour

The rain came down in heavy sheets, hammering against the SUV like it wanted to swallow us whole. We were halfway to the countryside estate for the annual business retreat when the storm turned vicious. Visibility dropped to almost nothing, and Andrew’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

“Miss Lily, this is getting dangerous,” he said, voice steady but concerned. “There’s a luxury lodge about two miles ahead. We should pull in until it eases up.”

I nodded, my silk blouse already clinging to my skin from the humidity. “Do it. I don’t want us crashing before we even get there.”

The lodge was surprisingly...